Safeguarding Our Cities is Focus of Monday's Chicago Water SummitLeaders from the world's great water cities will share perspectives, strategies for protecting our communities and adapting to rapidly changing water challenges

What:

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and World Business Chicago (WBC), with support from the City of Chicago, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and Chicago Sisters Cities International, will jointly present Chicago Water Summit 2014: Global Lessons from Great Water Cities. A distinguished group of national and international leaders from the public, non-profit and private sectors will share their experiences and perspectives about a how the Great Water Cities can help communities of all sizes adapt to rapidly changing water management challenges.

Who:

Opening remarks will be provided by WBC CEO Jeff Malehorn and WEF President Sandra Ralston, followed by a series of focused panel discussions on a range of key water-related topics that are impacting modern communities. Topics include: impacts from climate change; extreme events such as storm surges, drought, and sea level rise; urbanization and population growth; water reuse and resource recovery; and the need for investments in resilient water infrastructure systems and its direct correlation to job creation and a strong financial future.

A highlight of the summit will be a luncheon keynote from Henk Ovink, Principal with Rebuild by Design (RBD), who will talk about his work in supporting the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s efforts to rebuild communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Named #1 in CNN’s 2013 top 10 of most innovative ideas, RBD was created to ignite innovation for a new standard of regional resilience in design and development as well as building and rebuilding in the light of climate change, sea level rise and future economic, ecological and cultural demands. The one-day event will conclude with remarks and next steps from Robin Barnes, Executive Vice President and COO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. and WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill.

As the latest in a series of dialogues to distill sustainable approaches and lessons learned from the world’s leading water cities, this forward-thinking Summit is intended to help direct the agenda for other communities facing similar challenges. It also sets the stage for the high profile and popular session, “Great Water Cities: Path to Livability, Prosperity & Resilience” that will be held at WEFTEC® 2014—WEF’s 87th Annual Technical Exhibition & Conference—this fall in New Orleans, La. As the world’s largest annual water quality conference and exhibition, WEFTEC brings thousands of water professionals and water equipment manufacturers to Chicago every other year through 2023.

About WEFFounded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide. To learn more, visit www.wef.org.

About World Business ChicagoChaired by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, World Business Chicago (WBC) fosters private sector growth and jobs through the advancement of a business-friendly environment that attracts world-class talent. WBC leads the city's business retention, attraction and expansion efforts, raises Chicago's position as a premier global business destination, and guides implementation of the Plan for Economic Growth & Jobs.